The Webster County Commission has heard from many residents regarding concerns about data centers, including requests for regulation, proposed ordinances, and a possible moratorium.

We appreciate the time and effort citizens have put into sharing their concerns and ideas. The Commission takes these issues seriously. At the same time, the County must act within the authority granted to it by Missouri law. Because Webster County does not currently have planning and zoning, the Commission’s authority to regulate land use and development may be more limited than some of the proposals assume.

Based on the information reviewed to date, the proposed ordinances, as presented, raise significant questions about the scope of the County’s legal authority. That does not mean the concerns raised by residents are being ignored. It means the Commission must be careful to respond in a way that is lawful, enforceable, and defensible.

The County is committed to continuing to evaluate what provisions may be available to address citizen concerns while staying within the boundaries of the law.

We are grateful for the public’s continued engagement on this issue and will continue to listen as this process moves forward.

The Webster County Commission would like to offer the public an update of actions taken since the public meeting held on Monday, May 11th at the Marshfield High School Auditorium.

The Commission has contacted a number of federal and state regulatory agencies to ensure procedures are being followed, and to educate themselves further about the potential impacts stemming from the current project on Rifle Range Road. Representatives of federal elected officials have also been contacted for assistance.

In addition, the Commission has contacted other counties to learn of their experiences. For example, they plan to travel to McDonald County on Monday, May 18th to see a data center there.

Furthermore, the Commission is exploring the possibility of retaining outside litigation counsel to research the legality of adopting a moratorium on future data center development projects in the unincorporated areas of Webster County. The legal basis for the moratorium being considered could be the authority that might exist to control noise pollution under Section 49.950(3), dealing with nuisance abatement.

The Commission does not intend to attend or participate in either of the ‘town hall’ political rallies scheduled by candidates for State office on May 19th in Marshfield or May 27th in Fordland.

The Commission will continue to conduct business during their regular office hours on Monday and Tuesday mornings – and will dedicate specific times for public comment on the subject during those times. Factual public information that we receive along the way will be shared as we receive it.

The Webster County Commission will hold its regular session from 8 am to noon on Monday, May 11. Due to the increase in expected attendance, the 10 am meeting requested by Katherine Wiltse to discuss Data Centers will take place at the Carl and Glessie Young Community Auditorium located in the Marshfield High School, at 370 State Highway DD, Marshfield.

Again, the normal meeting of the County Commission on Monday, May 11th will begin in the Commission Room of the County Courthouse as usual.  The portion (10am-Noon) dealing with data centers is being moved to the high school auditorium.

Thank you.

Recently, our community learned through a social media post of a data center to be located outside the city limits of Marshfield on Rifle Range Road.  Since that time, a significant number of people from inside the community and out have expressed concern about the potential environmental and other impacts that might arise from a large hyper-scale data center.

Initially, the Webster County Commission was unaware of the development.  Since that time, the Commission has reached out to the developer – who has been very open and forthright in sharing information about the project.

The information provided describes the project as a “small-scale high-performance computing facility”.  It will be situated on a five-acre site.  The building dimensions are roughly 70×200.

It will be cooled by a closed-loop system, with water usage estimated at a few hundred gallons a month.  Water will be supplied by a standard residential-style well, with an approximate depth of 500ft and capacity of 20 gallons per minute.  There will be no chemical discharge, and no hazardous materials released.  Likewise, there will be no air pollution or emissions.  The project described will have a lesser environmental impact that many standard commercial facilities or residential subdivisions.

One additional concern is noise.  The developer has given assurances that the noise will be comparable to standard commercial HVAC equipment.  There will be additional measures to mitigate the potential of off-site noise through the construction of an earthen berm around the facility and strategic equipment placement and buffering.

In short, this particular development does not appear to be one of the massive, resource-consuming hyperscale data centers that have been built elsewhere in the country.

The developer has not asked for any tax abatement or economic development incentives.

The County Commission is appreciative of the concerns brought forward, and will continue to share factual information as best it can.

Click here for Unofficial Results from the April 7, 2026, General Municipal Election.

Click here to view a PDF of the complete sample ballot. Please note that only the issues relevant to your residential address will appear on your ballot at the polls.

County offices – including the Courts – will be closed Monday, January 26th.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Thank you!

Attention Webster County residents — please be advised that Bell Ford Road will be closed intermittently at the bridge crossing the James River beginning Monday, November 10, through Monday, December 1.

These temporary closures are necessary to allow for scheduled maintenance work on the bridge. We encourage all travelers to plan ahead and allow extra travel time to accommodate potential delays.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to keep our county’s roads and bridges safe!

#WebsterCounty #RoadWork #BridgeMaintenance #TrafficUpdate

The Webster County Commission is accepting applications for an unexpired term of the Board of Directors of “Senate Bill 40 / WC Partners” – which administers local property tax funds used for maintaining a sheltered workshop and providing housing for individuals with developmental disabilities.

This appointment is for an unexpired term, ending June 30, 2026.

Applications will be accepted from now until 5pm on Monday, November 17th – and may be obtained HERE or by contacting the Webster County Clerk’s Office at: [email protected] .

Preference may be given to applicants related to individuals with developmental disabilities.  For more information, contact the County Commission at: 417-859-4250.

Thank you.